Metro’s fifth SafeTrack maintenance surge will cause a “severe service reduction” on portions of the Orange and Silver lines for 11 days starting tomorrow.
From Wednesday, July 20 until Sunday, July 31, Orange and Silver line trains will continuously single track between the East Falls Church and Ballston stations. This is the same area that was affected during first Metro SafeTrack surge.
On weekdays, Orange Line trains between Vienna and Ballston are expected to operate every 18 minutes. Silver Line trains will run every 18 minutes during the surge, according to Metro.
Additional Orange Line trains will operate between Ballston and New Carrollton during the maintenance period. Trains from Vienna to Ballston and Wiehle-Reston East to Ballston are likely to be extremely crowded, especially during rush-hour, Metro said.
“Customers at Ballston should consider using the additional train service that originates at Ballston and will board on the opposite platform from through-train service,” the agency advised in its latest announcement. “This may lengthen your departure time, but will give you the best opportunity to find space.”
Metro Commuters who have the ability to do so should consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible, Metro added.
An Arlington County website has the following information those affected by the latest Metro surge:
Street operations changes
- Temporary changes around Ballston, East Falls Church and Rosslyn Metro stations will accommodate additional Metro and regional buses during rush hours. These changes include removing some street parking and converting some street sections to bus-only, and adjusting traffic signal operations, as needed, to accommodate increased bus service.
- Changes around the Crystal City and Pentagon City Metro stations, for Surges 2 to 4, have been discontinued.
Supplemental local bus service
- Using 40-foot buses for ART 55 (East Falls Church-Lee Highway-Rosslyn) to add capacity along the affected section of the Orange/Silver line.
- Each 40-foot bus has five more seats and room for more standees compared to the 35-foot bus normally used on this route.
- New midday, evening and weekend service for ART 43 (Crystal City-Rosslyn-Courthouse), which started during Surge 2, continues to be available.
- For changes to bus service operated by Metro and other jurisdictions, visit Metro’s website.
Alternate work and travel options
The County is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:
- Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
- Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
- Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers comprehensive information about each surge in Spanish.
- For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.
For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:
- New Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
- Additional temporary bike parking capacity at Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
- Enhanced wayfinding along trails and commuter routes for bicyclists – Bike Routes – Orange/Silver Line direction
- Custom Bike Trains arranged for County residents upon request – contact [email protected].
Video via Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority